Friday, January 11, 2008

The war-like nature of Americans

The SAMVA USA chart suggests that one facet of the American character is a war-like tendency such that "the country does not back down from provocations" (V.K. Choudhry). This is consistent with the several hundred military events in US history, ranging from limited engagements to extended wars.

Astrologically, this tendency is seen in the close opposition aspect of Jupiter, as 6th lord of conflict, and the Moon as 1st lord of self. Jupiter is situated in the 5th house of creativity and Moon in the 11th house of ideals.

As Jupiter is in a wide conjunction with a strong Mars, as 10th lord of organisation, this suggests the technical know-how of the American military, its overwhelming might and the courage to use force when called for. Moreover, the close aspect of Moon to Mars imbues the powerful military with a fair share of idealism and zeal.

In recent days, the media has reported on an incident in the Straits of Hormuz, whereby small Iranian gunboats demonstrated foolhardy provocation towards heavily armed US war ships. Fortunately, the US military commanders did not take action. President Bush called the provocation a "dangerous action".

Following this event there have been some fascinating comments by US Presidential candidates on the election trail. Even more revealing is what the reporters observe about the audience reaction to the comments.

"Mr Huckabee has faced grave doubts about his foreign policy experience, his greatest vulnerability, but got one of the biggest cheers of the night when asked about the incidentlast week when Iranian boats swarmed US navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Asked whether the American commanders on the scene were right in not attacking the Iranian boats, Mr Huckabee said he backed their decisions, before warning Iran: "Be prepared, first, to put your sights on the American vessel. And then be prepared that the next thing you see will be the gates of Hell, because that is exactly what you will see after that."

Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator and Law & Order star who is banking all on victory in South Carolina to revive his campaign, said of the Iranian boat crews: "I think one more step and they would have been introduced to those virgins that they're looking forward to seeing." The crowd cheered."